Undefeated Mercito “No Mercy” Gesta (20-0-1, 10 KO’s), the undefeated WBO NABO Youth lightweight champion is taking no chances in his rematch against 36 year old veteran Genaro Trazancos (22-13-1, 13 KO’s) even though he scored a 7th round KO over the Mexican in their first meeting last August 20.

The rematch will be the main event at the historic Longshoreman’s Hall in San Francisco on February 18, the eve of the eagerly awaited WBC/WBO title fight between Fernando “KO-Chulito” Montiel orf Mexico and Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire, the reigning WBC Continental Americas bantamweight champion at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.

Gesta who is being trained by the father-and-son tandem of Norman “Bumpy” Parra and Vince Parra has been training at Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles and according to Vince Roach has been “helping us with advice and technique and sets up our sparring.”

Vince Parra told the Inquirer that Roach offers him advice “that helps me to add to Mercito’s style, and I apply it. Its great, he's a great guy.”

Parra disclosed that the 23 year old southpaw Gesta who visited his parents Anecito and Mercedes Gesta in Mandaue City last Christmas for the first time in four years and worked out with his father who is a Muay Thai and boxing trainer as well as fighter has had some great sparring at the Wild Card.

Parra said Gesta averages eight rounds per sparring session and will have his last sparring on Saturday, Manila Time, against another well known Pacquiao sparring partner Rashad Holloway with whom he’ll go six rounds.

The assistant trainer and co-manager of Gesta said there was “no need to overdo it” noting that Gesta “came back from vacation stronger and close to combat ready thanks to his father Anecito who did a great job conditioning Mercito. “

The rematch with Trazancos is taking place according to Parra “simply because nobody would fight us" Gesta was originally scheduled to fight Mexican journeyman Hector Velasquez who lost to Pacquiao by a sixth round TKO in September 2005. However, Parra said “ Velasquez backed out Trazancos was the only guy that would fight. But I'm told by our promoter Don Chargin that after this fight there will be a big announcement for Mercito's next opponent that his fans and critics will approve of.”

He said Gesta is “excited to fight in front of the large Filipino community in San Francisco and what's next is a fight that will validate Mercito Gesta as one of the best lightweights.”

Veteran boxing manager and media man Hermie Rivera believes the Gesta fight “will be well received considering that the likes of Pancho Villa, Gbariel “Flash” Elorde and Luisito Espinosa fought here in the Bay Area to garner top honors including being enshrined in the Boxing Hall of Fame.

Rivera is certain that it will “soon be the turn of Espinosa and Manny Pacquiao to merit such honors having acquitted themselves marvelously as fistiana’s revered idols.”

The boxing man recalled that Espinosa whom he led to a world title became the California State bantamweight champion en route to the world bantamweight and featherweight titles. Pacquiao, on the other hand figured in a controversial draw against Agapito Sanchez whom trainer Freddie Roach wanted banned because of his unbelievably dirty tactics in the ring that almost ruined the career of Pacquiao.

Top photo: Gesta (L) connects against Trazancos during their first meeting. Photo by Dr Ed de la Vega.